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Josh Lindblom

Josh Lindblom
Lindblom with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011
Pitcher
Born: (1987-06-15) June 15, 1987 (age 37)
Lafayette, Indiana, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: June 1, 2011, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
KBO: March 31, 2015, for the Lotte Giants
Last appearance
MLB: May 25, 2021, for the Milwaukee Brewers
KBO: September 28, 2019, for the Doosan Bears
MLB statistics
Win–loss record7–12
Earned run average4.78
Strikeouts200
KBO statistics
Win–loss record63–34
Earned run average3.55
Strikeouts750
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Joshua William Lindblom (born June 15, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Milwaukee Brewers and in the KBO League for the Lotte Giants and Doosan Bears.[1][2]

Career

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Amateur and minor league career

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Lindblom attended Harrison High School in West Lafayette, Indiana. He was drafted in the third round of the 2005 MLB draft by the Houston Astros after being listed by Baseball America as the top prospect in the state of Indiana. He was 8–2 as a high school senior with a 2.30 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 76 innings. Rather than sign with the Astros, Lindblom chose to attend the University of Tennessee.[3]

After one season with the Tennessee Volunteers, Lindblom transferred to Purdue University for the 2007 season.[4] He was a starter with Tennessee, but became the closer for Purdue in 2007–2008. Lindblom was listed as being among the 75 top college baseball players by USA Baseball.[5][6] In 2007, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[7][8][9]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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Lindblom was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2nd round of the 2008 MLB draft and made his professional baseball debut that same year with the Single-A Great Lakes Loons in the Midwest League.[10] He started eight games for the Loons, finishing 0–0 with a 1.86 ERA in 29 innings worked. He struck out 33 batters, while walking only 4. He got a late season call-up to the AA Jacksonville Suns, where he made one start.

In 2009, Lindblom pitched in several spring training games for the Major League Dodgers, and there was some speculation that he could even make the big league club to start the season.[11] However, he was instead assigned to start the year with the Dodgers new AA affiliate, the Chattanooga Lookouts. He made 14 appearances for the Lookouts, including 11 starts and had a record of 3–5 and an ERA of 4.71 when he was promoted to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes. With the Isotopes, Lindblom made three starts and then was transferred to the bullpen. He had a 2.54 ERA in 20 games and was 3–0.

In 2010, Lindblom spent the entire season with Albuquerque. He made 10 starts with the Isotopes, before they decided to return him to being a relief pitcher. He finished the season 3–2 with a 6.54 ERA in 40 appearances. He was demoted to Chattanooga in 2011, where he started the season with seven saves and a 2.96 ERA in 19 games.

On May 29, 2011, Lindblom was called up to the Dodgers. He made his Major League debut in relief on June 1, 2011, against the Colorado Rockies, allowing two hits in a scoreless seventh inning during a 3–0 Dodgers loss. On August 12, 2011, he won his first game, pitching a scoreless tenth inning against the Houston Astros in a game the Dodgers won 1–0 in the bottom of that inning. He pitched in 29.2 innings for the Dodgers in 2011, with a 2.73 ERA and 28 strikeouts.

Philadelphia Phillies

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On July 31, 2012, Lindblom was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies along with prospect Ethan Martin for outfielder Shane Victorino.[12] He appeared in 26 games for the Phillies, with a 1-3 record and 4.63 ERA.

Texas Rangers

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The Texas Rangers acquired Lindblom and minor league pitching prospect Lisalverto Bonilla on December 9, 2012, from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Michael Young.[13] Lindblom was called up on May 20 when Derek Lowe was designated for assignment and optioned back to the Triple-A Round Rock Express on May 21. He was recalled again on June 9.[14]

Oakland Athletics

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On December 3, 2013, Lindblom, along with outfielder Craig Gentry, was traded to the Oakland Athletics for outfielder Michael Choice and infielder Chris Bostick.[15] He was designated for assignment on November 28, 2014.

Pittsburgh Pirates

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The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Lindblom off waivers on December 8, 2014.[16]

Lotte Giants

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On December 15, 2014, he signed with the Lotte Giants of the KBO League.[17] He pitched there the next two seasons.

Second Stint With Pirates

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On December 16, 2016, Lindblom signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates that included an invitation to spring training.[18] On May 6, 2017, Lindblom was selected to the 40-man and active rosters after Jameson Taillon went down with an injury.[19] He was outrighted to AAA on June 24, 2017. Lindblom was released by the Pirates on July 12, 2017.[20]

Return to KBO

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On July 13, 2017, the Lotte Giants announced that they had signed Lindblom again.[21]

Doosan Bears

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On December 11, 2017, the Doosan Bears announced the signing of Lindblom to a one-year, $1.45 million contract. 2018 was a successful season for Lindblom; he started 26 games with a 15–4 record, a league-leading 2.88 ERA, and the Pitcher's Golden Glove award. Lindblom received the 2019 KBO League Most Valuable Player Award, after posting a 20–3 record with a 2.50 ERA and 189 strikeouts over 194+2⁄3 innings.[22] Lindblom received his second pitcher's Golden Glove award for the 2019 season.[23]

Milwaukee Brewers

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On December 16, 2019, Lindblom signed a three-year contract worth $9.125 million with the Milwaukee Brewers.[24] In his return to the major leagues in 2020, Lindblom recorded a 2-4 record and a 5.16 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 45.1 innings pitched.[25] After struggling to a 9.72 ERA in 8 appearances, Lindblom was designated for assignment on May 26, 2021.[26] He was outrighted to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds on May 28.[27] Lindblom played the entire 2022 season with Nashville and became a free agent after the season on November 6.[28]

On January 12, 2023, Lindblom announced his retirement from professional baseball via his personal Twitter account.[29]

Pitching style

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As a reliever, Lindblom relies chiefly on four-seam and two-seam fastballs around 91 mph and a high-80s cutter, although he also mixed in a curveball, a slider, and a changeup.[30][31] He was moved to rotation and added an effective splitter to repertoire in his KBO career.[32]

Personal life

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Lindblom is married to Aurielle Lindblom. They have three children: Presley, Palmer, and Monroe.[33] Lindblom's daughter, Monroe, was born with a congenital heart defect that has required surgery.[34]

Lindblom is a devoted Christian and attended Dream Center while playing in Los Angeles. Lindblom and his wife also established a charity which donated $20,000 to an Indiana food bank.[35]

References

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  1. ^ "Josh Lindblom Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  2. ^ "Josh Lindblom Minor & Korean Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  3. ^ "CSTV.com: #1 in College Sports". Archived from the original on December 5, 2005. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  4. ^ "CSTV.com: #1 in College Sports". Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  5. ^ "CSTV.com: #1 in College Sports". Archived from the original on May 2, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  6. ^ "Welcome to USA Baseball: Home of 1988 & 2000 Olympic Gold Medalists". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  7. ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  8. ^ "2007 Cotuit Kettleers". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  9. ^ "West All-Star Roster: All-Star Game 2007". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  10. ^ "Great Lakes Loons getting additions to bullpen, including Los Angeles Dodgers second-round pick Josh Lindblom". June 29, 2008. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  11. ^ King, Sam (April 5, 2009). "Lindblom works his way up". Journal & Courier. Lafayette, Indiana. p. B1.
  12. ^ Dierkes, Tim (July 31, 2012). "Dodgers Acquire Shane Victorino".
  13. ^ "Josh Lindblom, Lisalverto Bonilla bring strong arms to Rangers' pitching staff". Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  14. ^ "RHP Josh Lindblom Recalled". Round Rock Express. June 9, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  15. ^ "The Texas Rangers trade Craig Gentry, Josh Lindblom to A's for Chris Bostick, Michael Choice | Dallas Morning News". Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  16. ^ "Pirates claim right-hander Josh Lindblom off waivers from A's". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  17. ^ "Lindblom signs with Korean baseball club". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  18. ^ Adams, Steve (December 16, 2016). "Pirates Sign Josh Lindblom, Eury Perez To Minor League Deals". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  19. ^ "Pirates Place Jameson Taillon on DL, Select Josh Lindblom's Contract". May 6, 2017.
  20. ^ "Josh Lindblom: Dropped by Pirates". CBSSports.com. CBS Sports. RotoWire Staff. July 13, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  21. ^ Park, Alex (July 13, 2017). "Lotte Giants reacquire ex-ace Josh Lindblom". The Korea Herald. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  22. ^ "American pitcher Josh Lindblom voted MVP in KBO". The Korea Times. November 25, 2019. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  23. ^ Jee-ho, Yoo (December 9, 2019). "American ace Lindblom closes KBO chapter with 2nd, likely last, Golden Glove". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  24. ^ "Brewers, Lindblom finalize $9,125,000, 3-year contract".
  25. ^ "Milwaukee Brewers 2020 Season Report Card: Josh Lindblom". October 7, 2020.
  26. ^ "Brewers Outright Josh Lindblom". May 28, 2021.
  27. ^ "Brewers Outright Josh Lindblom". May 28, 2021.
  28. ^ "Josh Lindblom Stats, Fantasy & News". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
  29. ^ "Josh Lindblom: Hangs up cleats". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  30. ^ "Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool – Player Card: Josh Lindblom". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  31. ^ "Josh Lindblom Stats".
  32. ^ "Brewers sign two-time KBO pitcher of the year Josh Lindblom". December 16, 2019.
  33. ^ "Monroe Lindblom". Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  34. ^ "U.S. pitcher leaves S. Korean club to be with ailing daughter". Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  35. ^ Hernandez, Dylan (April 30, 2012). "Dodgers' Josh Lindblom says his faith helped make him a better pitcher". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
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